Infected piercing- help!

[Georgiemcgeorgeface]

My DCs ear piercing is infected. We're about 10 week post piecing and changed from the hypo allergenic stud to solid gold hoop after Christmas. Since then it's oozed a bit. Twice daily bathing in saline. Developed lump at back. Went to GP and was prescribed antibiotics. DC will not take them for love nor money (nor threats) has never been good at taking medicine. Believe me I've tried everything. DC is 12.
Any ideas of what else we can try before I force the antibiotics?
Any success stories of piercing infections clearing up with natural remedies?
I'm at my wits end with it!

@peiceofpiss it was done with a needle at a proper studio. The lump has only appeared in the last week or so even tho was pierced end of Nov

Crikey. Absolutely no to turning!

That probably explains the bump, the skin has separated from the flesh of the lobe.

And definitely no to any lotion, antiseptic or ointment. Put nothing on it but saline.

I agree with PPs though, it he won’t take medication then he isn’t mature enough for the piercing. (But don’t just take it out— that can make it worse if fluid is draining, via the piercing the fluid will get trapped and cause swelling)

Id just Turn off wifi till he complies.

@Georgiemcgeorgeface definitely go back and have a titanium barbell put in. Make sure the bar is a fair size to allow for any possible swelling. It's probably been caused by the gold jewellery that is now in there and the fact it was changed far too early. Jewellery in the lobes should not be changed until 12 weeks after the piercing was done. You've obviously been given poor advice. Do you have picture?

I swear by this for my own piercings and keloids (the piercing bump made up of scarring tissue): Put a drop of tea tree oil on a cotton bud, pass it quickly under a cold tap to dilute it, then clean the piercing.

I sometimes use it neat, which can sting, but it is very much up to you whether your DS does this.

I would also lock down everything until he takes the antibiotics. He's not a baby - he can swallow a tablet. Tell him that if it is left and turns into a full infection he will feel very ill indeed, and he won't even WANT to play on his games or leave the house.

pieceofpiss is also giving good advice - aspirin can work exceptionally well too. I mixed it with Vaseline to make a paste so it stayed on as when I mixed it with water it flaked off v quickly.

@peiceofpiss

Oooh that’s interesting. I’ve got a small bump on a cartilage piercing. I had the jewery changed yesterday at that was the cause of the bump, and the piercer recommended aspirin paste. I’d never heard of that, but it makes sense.

Did it work for you?
(Off to rummage in the medicine cupboard)

revolving Tea tree irritated the wound when I tried it. Made my ear swell like a bloody balloon. Now I’m senitised to it and can’t use it on any open cut. :(

OP definitely get a longer Barbel put in. Makes a huge difference if there’s room for it to swell.

@Zwischenwasser The paste worked for me. I had some horrific lumps all over my tragus. It took about 3 months for them all to go but I haven't had an issue since.

I really wouldn't recommend tea tree oil as it can aggravate skin but some people do swear by it so I'd use it at your own risk

My DD has had to take antibiotics for a piercing. Her friend with a worse infection spent 5 days in hospital on an antibiotic drip. It is possible to get severe infections from piercings so I genuinely think you need to find a way of making him take them.

@peiceofpiss can't get a pic it won't focus. Looks gammy around the hole and a red hardish lump to one side

@Georgiemcgeorgeface I'd try the aspirin and a bigger titanium barbell and if there is no improvement in a month or so you would really need to force him to remove it. It'll just get worse and worse and could eventually become permanent. He can always have it redone once it has healed over. Make sure he doesn't sleep on the piercing either, it'll just aggravate it further.